“A Theory of Forgiveness” by Len Lawson Black people will forgive you quicker than you can say Orangeburg Massacre.–Nikky Finney Orange [a president……and now a vice-presidentwho just got the taste of segregationout of his mouth after fifty yearssweeps through South Carolinawith Clyburn at his right hand and declares the black Read more…
“Love Me Like Your Guns” by Len Lawson I’m as black as theyI’m your trophy above the mantleI’m your side piecein your holster I’m your gift and your right from God AlmightyGrip the neck of this coveted steelI’m your dirty letters and naughty numbersAR-15, 9 MM, your .45Rat-tat-tat-tat meBlauk blam Read more…
“What If Martin Luther King Could Do It” by Len Lawson I know it’s unfathomable to seeafter the way we’ve anointed himpatron saint of peaceprophet of nonviolencepriest of martyrs sittingat the right hand of Jesusand Paul at the left handlike Moses and Elijahat the Transfiguration.I know it’s inside of us Read more…
“fall out” by Lauren Frausto like the mushroom cloudthat follows mankinds’ greatest foibleall the rouge neutronsthe atomic sun abomination delicate soot piles to the smudge horizonclouds for the manic frolic of dirty cherubsor a confused mutant thingthat was supposed to be an insect i am the concave ash centerthe ground-down Read more…
“Hard Waitress” by Scott Hutchison Haze Madison works the unpainted cinderblock bar out on the lostwestern edge of town. Broken-windowed shells of two gas stations, a small-time propane distributor and a chain-link fence companyall relinquish room for parking. Potholed gravel lots; the damned thirstypush a thick metal-clad door into the Read more…
“My Mother Tries to Teach Me about Cars” by Hannah Dow If a man offers to help youcarry something heavy to your carflex your biceps and say no thanks. If a man pulls up next to you in his carand gives you a thumbs-upa holler a compliment a gruntflip Read more…
“My Two Cents” by David Rock Here is a grain of salt, a pocket full of posies, ashes,crumbs for retracing our steps (if only we could), or better:pebbles immune to hyperactive birds: gravel, no—gravitas to keep us on the groundin winds of change. This climate has served us well for Read more…
“Dawn and Dead Cherries” by Francine Witte Smacks of light as pieces of morningassemble. Dawn turns it all Pangea. In a nearby field, the cherry trees go dizzy with their own sweet juice,get drunk on their own bloodstream. The children are out. Scooping up what falls to the ground. Soon Read more…
“As Far As I’m Concerned” by Amanda Gaines Princess Di looked best in bicycle shorts, carnations are to prom as shame is to sex, & everything tastes better with garlic. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no pointin flightless birds or handshakes or tissues:pain best served obvious. As far as Read more…
“fence“ by Carol Lynne Knight somewhere I have never been,you have gone —the eerie cave of dreamers set free to roam the mind’s nether lands. my test diagramsshow flames leapingfrom my forehead —my interior territories scorched,ironed flat, with flashing lights& no trespassing signs.even with a passport, I muststand at the Read more…